Spining projectile converting its spin into electrical energy and utilizing this converted electrical energy to damage electronic devices onboard a target

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses the design of a spin-stabilized projectile converting its spinning motion into electrical energy through the law of electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, this invention specifies methods of application of such a projectile with the purpose of destroying electronics on board a target by utilizing this electrical energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although there exists a number of electromagnetic ammunition designs, most of those types of ammunition do not convert projectile's flight energy into electrical energy that can be utilized to attack electronic components on board of a single target. A projectile that does not carry any electrical energy prior to firing but accumulates this energy while flying towards the target is safe, easy, and inexpensive to store prior to usage. There seems to be a clear lack of designs of such projectiles that can be utilized to attack a multitude of military targets, for instance combat tanks that consist largely of electricity-conducting metals and that rely more and more on sophisticated electronics for efficient combat operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has a twofold objective: (a) to convert the spinning motion of a projectile fired from a rifled barrel into electrical energy; (b) to destroy or damage electronics on board a target by utilizing above mentioned electrical energy. Several designs of projectiles are provided herein and their methods of applications within the framework of the proposed methods are discussed. Also, different methods are suggested with regards to attacking electrically grounded and ungrounded targets.

This proposed method of obtaining electrical energy from the spinning movement of a projectile eliminates a need to charge this projectile with electrical energy and to maintain this projectile's electrical energy storage system prior to the projectile's usage. The projectile's electrical energy storage device or devices are getting charged while the projectile is flying towards the target. Once the in-flight charging process is complete the user is free to use the accumulated electrical energy as she sees fit.

The projectile converting its spinning energy to electricity comprises two shells in such a way that these shells are able to spin relative to each other. Correct placement of electrical windings, at least one source of magnetic field, and other necessary hardware within the projectile will make the spinning projectile generate alternating current through the law of electromagnetic induction. The projectile can be visualized as a flying electrical alternator found in automobiles where the outer shell acts as a spinning stator and the inner shell acts as a stationary rotor. At least one electrical energy storage device has to be placed within the projectile to accumulate the generated electrical energy. Extra hardware can be added to such a projectile in order to fulfill specific goals. For instance, a special electronic circuit can be added to the projectile in order to disconnect electrical energy storage device once a certain amount of energy has been accumulated.

Such a projectile can be used to attack electronics on board an electrically conducting target. The stored electrical energy is released on physical contact with such a target. A pulse of electric current traveling through the target will create voltage and current spikes harmful to electronics onboard the target. An important distinction has to be made between electrically grounded targets and electrically ungrounded ones since projectiles intended for physical impact with targets need to be designed differently based on the availability of a path to the electrical ground through the target. A grounded target needs to be connected only to the positive side of the projectile's electrical energy storage device to create an electrical discharge through the target. A target isolated from electrical ground needs to be connected to both positive and negative sides of the projectile's electrical energy storage device in order to create an electrically conducting path from the positive side through the target to the negative side of the projectile's energy storage device. Also, special devices can be installed onboard the projectile to delay electrical energy discharge after initial physical contact. These devices will allow the projectile to penetrate defensive barriers around the target prior to releasing the stored electrical energy into the target.

Alternatively, the stored electrical energy can be released through an electromagnetic energy transmitter into the surrounding space in the vicinity of the target thus creating an electromagnetic pulse effect. The resulting electromagnetic field should damage electronics onboard the target.

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Side view of the projectile. A: outer shell. B: 2 separator channels enclosed within the outer shell and roller bearings in the separator channels. C: inner projectile containing at least one source of magnetic field. D: impact detector.

2. Front cutaway view of the projectile. A: outer shell. B: inner shell containing a source of magnetic field(not shown). C: coils of electrical conductors affixed to the outer shell. D: roller bearings allowing the spinning motion of the outer shell relative to the inner shell.

3. Front cutaway view of a section of the projectile. A: inner shell. B: section of the outer shell. C: gear 1 of the gear train connecting inner shell to outer shell, arrow indicates direction of rotation. D: gear 2 of the gear train connecting inner shell to outer shell, part of the gear contacts inner shell inside a channel cut into inner shell to save space. E: a box affixed to inner shell, the box containing a telescoping arm able to electrically connect inner and outer shell after impact with a target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention utilizes the law of electromagnetic induction to convert spinning motion of a projectile into electrical energy. A projectile fired from a rifled barrel begins to spin in flight. If such a projectile is composed of 2 (two) shells separated from each other the outer shell will start spinning relative to the inner shell. Both shells can be separated from each other with at least one set of roller bearings, however for an elongated shape of a projectile at least two roller bearings may be desirable. Two symmetrical roller bearings will eliminate undesirable torque that may cause wobbling motion of the projectile in a plane normal to the direction of movement of the projectile. The user can choose any other separator allowing spinning motion of both shells relative to each other.

If a source of magnetic field is placed within the inner shell of the projectile and if electrical conductors are placed around the inner surface of the outer shell, than, because of the law of electromagnetic induction, electrical current will be generated in the outer shell conductors which will be constantly moving through the magnetic field due to the spinning motion of the outer shell.

For higher efficiency at least one solid core made out of a material with high magnetic permeability (like iron) can be affixed to the inner side of the outer shell and the conductors can be wound around this at least one core in coils. Such an arrangement will increase electric current in the outer shell conductors because of the effect of self-inductance. However, placement of one or more solid cores will make the outer shell of the projectile heavier, which may have to be taken into consideration by the projectile user. The projectile can carry multiple cores affixed to the inner surface of the outer shell. These multiple cores with electric conductors wound around them will spin together around the common rotor incorporated into the inner shell. The whole projectile can be visualized as a regular alternator found in automobiles where the outer shell of the projectile acts as a spinning stator and the inner shell acts as a motionless rotor. Although physically the outer shell (stator) will be moving the only thing that matters is that the outer shell conductors are moving through the magnetic field of the inner shell, and that the outer shell (conventional stator) and the inner shell (conventional rotor) are moving relative to each other.

The source of magnetic field can be either at least one permanent magnet or a least one electromagnet. If an electromagnet is chosen, a source of electrical energy (similar to a battery) is required for initial energizing of the electromagnet. Once the projectile starts generating electrical current in the windings of the outer shell, a part of this current can be redirected via a special circuit back to the inner shell to feed the electromagnet. Design of such a circuit is a trivial task for a modern engineer.

The electrical energy generated in the conductors of the spinning outer shell can be stored in an electrical energy storage device like a capacitor. The alternating current generated in the outer shell conductors needs to be rectified and redirected into this capacitor. Conversion of alternating current to direct current can be easily achieved by an AC rectifying circuit comprising a diode bridge. Electronic circuits converting alternating current to direct current have been around for a long time and their design and placement inside the projectile is a trivial task. Although other mechanical methods can be used as well due to economy of space and weight a simple electronic circuit will be more desirable.

The designer of such a projectile will most likely face a problem of accumulating enough electrical energy while the projectile is moving towards a target. The following is a description of factors that may contribute to the process of electrical energy accumulation. Manipulation of the following parameters will allow accumulation of any amount of energy necessary to defeat electronics onboard a target.

-   -   (a) The size of the projectile. It should be obvious that the         bigger the projectile is the more conductors can be affixed to         the outer shell and the more current will be generated for the         same power of the inner shell magnet.     -   (b) The strength of the magnetic field generated inside the         inner shell.     -   (c) The spin rate of the outer shell. Increase in the spin rate         can be achieved by increasing the twist of barrel rifling.         Another technique can also be used to increase effective         spinning motion of 2 shells relative to each other—namely both         shells can be connected to each other with at least one gear         train. The purpose of this gear train will be to spin the inner         shell in the opposite direction to the spinning motion of the         outer shell using the energy of the outer shell. The gear 1 in         contact with the outer shell will spin in the same direction as         the outer shell, however the gear 2 meshed with the gear 1 will         be spinning in the opposite direction. If the gear 2 is         connected to the inner shell than the inner shell will start         spinning along with the gear 2 in the direction opposite to the         spin of the outer shell. This arrangement will increase the         current in the conductors because the effective spin rate of two         shells relative to each other will go up. Obviously, more than         one gear train can be used.     -   (d) Length of flight. The longer the flight to the target the         more time is spent on charging the electrical energy storage         device. One possible usage of such a projectile is to fire it up         along a parabolic trajectory. Upon its descent target seeking         gear onboard the projectile will detect the target and will         guide the projectile at the target. By that time enough energy         necessary to neutralize the target will have been accumulated.

A very important part of the projectile's usage is selection of the moment when the stored energy has to be released. For a projectile designed to physically hit a target an impact detector needs to be installed on board the projectile. Let us say that a positive side of the projectile's capacitor is constantly connected via an electrically conducting path to the outer shell of the projectile throughout the flight. This means that the outer shell effectively becomes a part of the electrical energy storage device and when the distance to the target becomes sufficiently small the stored energy will be wasted on the electrical breakdown of the layer of air between the projectile and target. The electrical energy storage device needs to be electrically isolated from the outer shell until the target has been physically hit and all defensive barriers have been penetrated.

Timely isolation of the electrical energy storage device can be achieved by a combination of an impact detector and a delay mechanism. The delay mechanism will establish electrical contact between the electrical energy storage device and either the whole of the outer shell or a selected section of the outer shell. If the delay mechanism happens to be programmable the user can set the delay time appropriate for a specific target. The user can select either a mechanical or electronic delay mechanism. A plethora of these devices (including impact detectors) is available in the modern marketplace. One of the implementation of this setup may be to connect the projectile's capacitor to either the whole outer shell or a section of the outer shell with a conducting path, however this conducting path will be closed either electronically or mechanically only after the impact has been detected and the pre-set time period has passed. The impact detector may generate an electrical signal that will activate a timer and this timer will in turn generate an electrical signal closing the circuit. The design of this setup is trivial for a modern day engineer.

If the target happens to be isolated from electrical ground a more sophisticated approach will be required. Both the positive and negative sides of the projectile's capacitor (electrical energy storage device) need to be connected to the outer shell, however the section of the outer shell in contact with the positive side of the capacitor needs to be electrically isolated from the section of the outer shell connected to the negative side of the same capacitor. If this requirement is not fulfilled than a harmless short circuit through the outer shell will be created and all stored energy will be wasted on heating the outer shell.

The user can design the outer shell as consisting of two halves separated from each other with dielectric material. Upon contact with the target each side of the capacitor will be connected to a separate half of the outer shell while both halves are in contact with the target. Then the electrical discharge will happen from the positive side of the capacitor through a part of the outer shell through the target back to the “negative” side of the outer shell and back to the negative side of the capacitor. This process will generate current and voltage spikes through an electrically conducting target thus knocking out electronics onboard the target.

Once sufficient energy has been accumulated inside the projectile's energy storage device the energy can be released into the environment as an electromagnetic pulse via a transmitter similar to a single loop antenna. If the projectile is guided close enough to the target, the resulting electromagnetic pulse will knock electronics onboard the target without affecting the larger area around the target. Additional hardware detecting proximity to the target and/or guiding the projectile to the target may be required. Once the projectile gets close enough to the target the circuit connecting onboard charged capacitor (or a bank of capacitors) and the transmitter will be closed and the stored energy will be released through the electromagnetic energy transmitter.

For maximum efficiency the gap between electrical conductors affixed to the outer shell and the source of magnetic field within the inner shell should be as small as possible. This leaves practically no space for other hardware, therefore the following projectile's layout is suggested. Two sets of anti-frictional (ball or roller) bearings will divide the projectile into three parts. The middle section of the projectile enclosed within the bearings will contain the source of magnetic field and electrical conductors spinning around this source of magnetic field. The gap between the inner shell and the electrical conductors will be minimal and no other devices or hardware is placed within the middle section. Then the other two sections of the projectile can be dedicated to housing all other hardware like capacitors, electronics, impact detectors, electromagnetic energy transmitters and the like. The user may choose to add hardware to the projectile in addition to the hardware already mentioned in this specification. Should the user choose to one or more gear trains to spin the inner shell in the opposite directions, this gear trains should also be placed outside the middle section.

Let me examine the process of application of the projectile described in this specification. Say, advance knowledge about a specific target becomes available to the user of this projectile. The timer will get programmed with the time a period appropriate for the selected target. A proper trajectory ensuring that sufficient amount of energy will have been accumulated is selected by the user and the projectile is launched along this trajectory. As the projectile starts moving to the target is spinning motion starts generating electromagnetic energy and this energy gets accumulated in the onboard capacitors. If the projectile has already been accurately aimed at the target no further action is required until the last stage of flight. Otherwise, once sufficient amount of energy has been accumulated, the projectile either guides itself at the target autonomously or it is guided to the target via commands coming from outside. For a projectile carrying an electromagnetic energy transmitter as soon as the projectile gets close enough to the target the onboard electric energy storage devices get connected to the transmitter and all accumulated energy gets released via the transmitter. Fir impact projectiles further action is delayed until an impact projectile hits the target. The impact detector will activate an onboard timer and after the programmed period of time has elapsed the onboard capacitors get connected to the outer shell of the projectile. All stored energy gets released into the target via the outer shell as a huge voltage/current spike destroying the electronics stored inside the target.

This invention has the following advantages over other devices (like electromagnetic bombs) designed to knock out hostile electronics:

-   -   (a) there is no need to either keep these projectiles constantly         charged or charge them prior to usage;     -   (b) the user will be able to use conventional artillery as         opposed to aerial strikes or other methods to defeat hostile         electronics.

Therefore the user of these projectiles will enjoy ability to employ more options and to cut down electromagnetic ammunition storage and maintenance costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents a side view of the projectile.

“A”—outer shell of the projectile, for the purposes of the drawing this outer shell is drawn to be transparent. “B”—inner shell containing at least one source of magnetic field. “C”—one piece of electrically conducting wire affixed to the the outer shell. To facilitate viewing only one electrical conductor is shown and this one electrical conductor is shown as covering only one section of the outer shell. In reality many more electrical conductors would be affixed to the whole inner surface of the outer shell. “D”—2 (two) channels containing ball bearings. The ball bearings allow spinning motion of the outer shell relative to the inner shell. “E”—a box containing at last one device storing electrical energy. “F”—2 (two) connectors being able to establish electrically conducting path between the outer shell (“A”) and at least one electrical energy storage device (“E”). “G”—impact detector located in the nose of the projectile. “H”—an interface device between the impact detector (“G”) and at least one electrical energy storage device (“E”). To facilitate easy viewing this figure does not explicitly show all electrical connections between the outer shell winding (“C”), at least one electrical energy storage device (“E”) and other elements of the projectile.

FIG. 2 is identical to FIG. 1 with the following exceptions:

“G”—position of the impact detector relative the rest of the projectile has changed, signifying detection of an impact between the projectile and a target. Interface device “H” is touching a box containing at last one device storing electrical energy (“E”) signifying the transfer of data and/or energy from “G” to “E”. 2 (two) “F” connectors are touching the outer shell “A” establishing an electrically conducting path between at least one electrical energy storage device and the outer shell. In this arrangement the sections of the outer shell connected to “E” (or at least one of these sections) must be electrically isolated from the rest of the outer shell to avoid a short circuit through the outer shell.

FIG. 3 represents a front view of a cross-section through the projectile, the cross-section made between 2 (two) channels D containing ball-bearings.

“A”—the outer shell. “B”—the inner shell containing at least one source of magnetic field. Shaded area “C” represents electrical windings affixed to the outer shell “A” and covering the whole circumference of the outer shell “A”.

“D”—a visible part of one ball bearing separating inner and outer shells.

“I”—a gap between outer and inner shells. It is obvious that this gap should be as small as possible to maximize efficiency. The size of this gap is smaller than the diameter of ball bearings hence the need to cut a channel into the inner shell. Another channel might be needed to accommodate a gear train spinning the inner shell into a direction opposite to the direction of spin of the outer shell. 

1. A spin-stabilized projectile comprising: (a) an outer shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface being closer to the geometrical center of the projectile than said outer surface; (b) an inner shell, said inner shell containing at least one source of magnetic field; (c) a separator separating said inner shell from said outer shell, said separator allowing spinning motion of the outer shell relative to the inner shell; (d) at least one electrical conductor affixed to the inner surface of the outer shell; (e) at least one electrical energy storage device; (f) an electrically conducting path, said electrically conducting path connecting said at least one electrical energy storage device to said at least one electrical conductor; (g) a device converting alternating current to direct current, said device being a part of said electrically conducting path.
 2. The spin-stabilized projectile of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical conductor being wound around at least one solid core, said at least one solid core being physically affixed to the inner surface of the outer shell.
 3. The spin-stabilized projectile of claim 1, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell being connected via at least one gear train, said at least one gear being put in motion by the spinning movement of the outer shell and forcing the inner shell to spin in the opposite direction.
 4. The spin-stabilized projectile of claim 1, wherein said projectile contains at least one impact detector.
 5. The spin stabilized projectile of claim 4, wherein said projectile contains a connector being capable of establishing an electrically conducting path between said at least one electrical energy storage device and either said outer shell or any physical structure incorporated into said outer shell or any section of said outer shell.
 6. The spin stabilized projectile of claim 5, wherein said connector being capable of establishing: (a) an electrically conducting path between the electrically positive side of said electrical energy storage device and either a section one of said outer shell or a physical structure one incorporated into said outer shell; (b) a separate electrically conducting path between the electrically negative side of said electrical energy storage device and either a section two of said outer shell or a physical structure two incorporated into said outer shell.
 7. The spin stabilized projectile of claim 6, wherein said section one of said outer shell being electrically isolated from either said section two of said outer shell or said physical structure two.
 8. The spin stabilized projectile of claim 6, wherein said physical structure one being electrically isolated from either said section two of said outer shell or said physical structure two.
 9. The spin-stabilized projectile of claim 1, wherein said projectile contains at least one electromagnetic energy transmitter, said at least one electromagnetic energy transmitter connected to said at least one electrical energy storage device via a circuit, said circuit being able to conduct electricity.
 10. A method for destroying electronic devices on board a target, said target being able to conduct electricity, the method comprising: (a) firing at least one spin-stabilized projectile towards the target; (b) converting the spinning energy of said projectile into electrical energy by way of special hardware enclosed within said spin-stabilized projectile; (c) storing said electrical energy in at least one capacitor, said capacitor being located within said projectile; (d) detecting an impact between said at least one spin-stabilized projectile and said target; (e) establishing electrically conducting path between said at least one capacitor and said target via said at least one spin-stabilized projectile; (f) releasing all said electrical energy from said at least one capacitor into said target via said electrically conducting path.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising tracking the target and directing the at least one spin-stabilized projectile towards the target.
 12. A method for destroying electronic devices on board a target, the method comprising: (a) firing at least one spin-stabilized projectile towards the target; (b) converting the spinning energy of said projectile into electrical energy by way of special hardware stored on board said spin-stabilized projectile; (c) storing said electrical energy in at least one capacitor, said capacitor being located within said projectile; (d) detecting sufficient proximity of said target to said spin-stabilized projectile; (e) establishing electrically conducting path between said at least one capacitor and an electromagnetic energy transmitter, said electromagnetic energy transmitter being stored within said spin-stabilized projectile; (f) releasing said electrical energy as an electromagnetic pulse into the surrounding medium via said electromagnetic energy transmitter.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising tracking the target and directing the at least one spin-stabilized projectile towards the target 